Stapler and Amy met at Colony High School in 2009. He joined Tech Theatre after no longer being able to play sports due to getting injured in wrestling. She was in Drama. Can I make it any more obvious? They got to know each other and became friends.

By 2011, romance was brewing. However, Amy was a grade older (cradle-robber) and didn't want to date someone still in high school when she went to college, but Stapler persisted. They kept talking and texting, but Amy insisted that they wait to officially "date" until he graduated (which, to all of our surprise, he actually managed to do). However, Stapler had other plans. When Amy visited the CoHi theatre to see a performance, Stapler chatted with her after the show and, as he walked away, threw his St. Christopher at her. She dropped it (to no one's surprise, she's not an athlete). From that point on, they were "going steady."

Upon Catherine's request, the official beginning of their relationship was February 29, 2012 - leap day! By that logic, despite our 5-year engagement, we've only had 2 dating anniversaries. Stapler has been a devoted boyfriend - including waiting on her doorstep in the cold for 2 hours after getting off work to bring Amy the Krispy Kreme donuts she had mentioned she was craving (he never brings this up). They've been on several family trips together, including one trip where Amy cheerfully pointed out that Stapler hasn't shot her yet, and he instantly quipped, "I don't have a gun" (she never brings this up). He quietly proposed Christmas 2015 (after asking her mom for permission - she's the real boss) with a Whovian ring, and she announced to her family, "Hey guys, I think I just got engaged." (She never actually said yes.) Since then, they've globe-trotted, played the world's longest D&D campaign, bought a house, worked for the same district, and written a brilliant recap of their relationship for this website. One thing left on the checklist: gettin' stapled!